This month's golf news and features

Golf Society Raises over 200,000 Baht for Charity

Hua Hin Golf Society held their fifth annual charity golf event, with the golf played at Palm Hills and the dinner held at the Dusit Resort and Polo Club.
The course was in good condition with the greens playing well, and as always the buffet dinner was exceptional, what a treat to have Christmas pudding just like Gran used to make.
At press time we didn’t know the exact amout of money raised for local children’s charities, but it was over 200,000 Baht, a magnificent effort by all involved.
The society has been running it’s twice weekly golf matches, usually in the Stableford format for around 10 years, and by becoming a member offers a great chance to meet and play golf with people from all around the world.
The Charity Day was the brain child of Mr Martin Furzer and it was great to see him at the Dusit, joining in the fun, after a long and serious illness.
The day’s golf format is a 2 person scramble, there were also long drive and nearest the pin awards. One of the ladies long drives was won by probably the smallest person competing, Khun Boom from Fish Shop and Orchid Restaurant. One of the men’s long drives on the other hand was won by probably the biggest guy there, Ulf Sparvman from SweThai Golf.
Ulf was a worthy winner in the annual strokeplay (scratch) event, which takes place over two days, one at Springfield and one at Majestic, Ulf beat Barry Moore into second. The winner of this event has to attempt to drink Mr Wit’s yard of ale, which for most is far more challenging than any bunker shot. Last year Johnny nearly drowned himself in the attempt, but between Ulf and Mr Wit the yard was downed.
The prizes were also awarded for the Machplay champion, Mick Wittering from Custom Clubmakers and the Plate event which was won by Limelight’s Steve Ross. Who both consistantly played well through the rounds and into the finals.
The winner of the Matchplay (Handicap) was Thomas Eriksson.
Club chairman Peter Gouldby did an excellent job in difficult conditions as MC with his off the cuff humour, finding fitting insults to all the winners!
There were some wonderful prizes for the raffle, kindly donated by local businesses. Springfield and Hua Hin Golf Tours topped the list with very generous gifts. Also Mr Rolf Skoghag very kindly donated a set of woods for the raffle.
One of those moments when you wish you had a video camera handy, came when star golfer and restauranteur Luciano was so delighted at having his raffle number called out, leapt in the air, a bit like Totti’s goal celebrations, and ran to the stage, managing to drop his ticket, which promptly blew into the flower arrangements, never to be seen again. Maybe one of the Dusit staff can claim a pack of golfballs.
Another successful year ends for the society. Congratulations on a job well done, particularly to Berny for all his hard and thankless work, which includes writing a column for the Observer each month.

January fixtures:

Friday 2nd Jan rest day.
Tues 6th Sawang.
Fri 9th Royal Hua Hin.
Tues 13th Springfield.
Fri 16th Lake View.
Tues 20th Panurangsi Ratchaburi Military course.
Fri 23 To be arranged.
Tues 27th Palm Hills.
Fri 30th Lake View.

For further information please call into Berny’s Inn or ring 032 532 601.

$1 Million Prize!

The gang pictured below had every reason to smile - no they didn’t win the million US dollar prize, but they had a great time going for it.

Temple Bar International wanted to get their name known in Thailand, so they arranged a golfing weekend, comprising of two days golf at Majestic Creek, a wonderful dinner at the Hyatt, an auction to raise funds for Father Joe Maier’s charity, the Human Development Foundation, and a circus show performed by some of the children Father Joe and his team are helping.
The first round of golf determined the top 36 players who had the chance, on the Sunday, to hit a hole in one to win the big prize. Unfortunately the big prize was not won. There were one or two efforts which raised the heartbeat however.
International finance brokerage firm, Temple Bar has 36 offices worldwide and if you wish to know more about their services please contact kolman@templebarint.com or check their website: www.templebarint.com

Rule by Rule

Rule 2. Match Play

What It's About: Defines match play, covers concessions, and tells what to do in the case of doubts or disputes about the Rules

In its origins in Scotland centuries ago, golf was a match-play game, so it follows that the first specific Rule addresses that form of play, where players compete directly against each other. That confrontational nature makes match play more like other sports. In how many other games does a player compete against those he cannot even see, as is the case in a large stroke-play competition?

The Rules in match play, where each hole is a separate contest, tend to be less complex than in stroke play, because a penalty rarely needs to be more severe than loss of hole. In stroke play, a player guilty of a transgression still has to finish the hole with a score, a requirement that can introduce certain stipulations (e.g., having to correct the mistake of playing a wrong ball).

Another key difference from stroke play is the notion of a conceded stroke, hole, or match, covered by Rule 2-4. Unlike stroke play, where a player needs to hole out on every hole, a player in a match need not hole out should his opponent concede his next stroke or the hole. The concept of concessions works in match play because the only player who has an interest in what the player's score is for that hole is present. In stroke play, there could be more than 100 other players who care what a player's score on the hole is, and they are not all on hand to decide whether the player's stroke should be conceded.

Rule 2-5 covers how to handle Rules claims and any doubts or disputes that arise between opponents. Interestingly, its head-to-head nature means that match play can sometimes be a friendlier game. A player may overlook a breach of the Rules by his opponent in match play, provided there is no agreement between the two of them to do so. Stroke play is a different story, as the player is obligated to look out for the interests of the field and not keep silent about any Rules infractions he observes. Also, due to the fact that match play is a hole-by-hole contest, a player's inadvertent breach of the Rules goes unpenalized if a claim is not made by his opponent before either player plays from the next tee. A later claim would be considered only if the player making the claim had been unaware of the facts of the situation and had been given wrong information by his opponent. In stroke play, a player remains subject to penalty for a breach of a Rule even after he plays from the next tee.

One luxury not extended to a player in match play is the option of playing a second ball if he is unsure how to proceed under the Rules, as is allowed in stroke play. The reason is that the status of the match can influence how a player plays. True, when a claim is made the players will not know the outcome of the hole until they receive a ruling, just as if a player had played two balls. A key difference, though, is that in match play the player in question is likely either to have had a score for the hole or a penalty of loss of hole. His opponent would not have to play against two scores for that hole.

Rule 2 even provides a definition of the most misused term in match play, "dormie," which refers to the leader who is as many holes up as there are holes left to be played. The term is widely accepted as having come from the French verb dormir, to sleep. In other words, the player leading can almost fall asleep and still win the match as all he needs to do is halve one of the remaining holes. Even though the word appears to have negative connotations, remember that being dormie is most desirable.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

A common situation in match play is the confusion that can follow when a player who has had his putt conceded goes ahead and putts...and misses. Does the miss count? Decision 2-4/7 clarifies that the answer is an emphatic "No." Rule 2-4 states that a concession may not be declined or withdrawn, so once a stroke has been conceded, that's it, and it doesn't matter what the player does afterward. The answer is the same whether it was a casual attempt at the putt or the player actually tried to decline the concession and made a serious stroke. The only time putting out after a concession is prohibited is in a four-ball match where such an action assists the player's partner (Decision 2-4/6). In such a case, the partner is disqualified from the hole. The lesson here is to stay alert in a four-ball match so as to concede the stroke of an opponent who is essentially out of the hole to ensure that his play does not help his partner (e.g., by showing him the line for putting).
For the complete Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules, visit the USGA's site.

The Hua Hin Golf Players Club

Here come the latest results from the 7th and 8th tournaments on the new "GPC's Tour". The only way to keep your game sharp is to play competitive golf, and it's also the most fun, rewarding, nervous, exhilarating and frustrating way to play this game. What more can you ask for?!
Springfield: Tuesday the 18 of November.
Place Name Score
1 Jaruek Tharuaphan 72
2 John McKemzie 76
Sawang: Tuesday the 2 of December.
Place Name Score
1 Ji Wook Kim 72
2 Jaruek Tharuaphan 74
3 Jorgen Persson 78
3 Varavutt Chotikapanich 78
Shot of the day: First of all it was Justin Klahan's putting, anyone wants to know how to read and hole putts at Sawang book a lesson with Justin. Second Jorgen first clam to fame was the drive at 15 (380 yards par 4) that he put in the middle of the fairway only 25 yards short of the green.
After 8 events we have now attracted 32 different players to join our tournaments, and more to come. If you want to give Jaruek a challenge in the run for the "Order of Merit" title you need to put some good scores on the board for the remaining tournaments.
Hope to see you all at our tournaments, and all the best.
Jorgen Persson Suwit Pahulo
PGA of Sweden Thai PGA

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH

“You lifted your head KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN”

This is probably the most liberally used piece of golfing advice given by fellow playing partners, husbands or wives after you have hit a bad shot. It is also the most misunderstood piece of advice. Keeping your head down restricts the amount of lateral motion your body must make for a natural free flowing swing. Next time you are on the practice range try this.

At address make sure your chin is up and away from your chest. With your head held high in a proud position, pick a shot on the back of the ball preferably a dimple or part of the ball's logo. As you make your back swing, try to maintain the distance between your forehead and the ball. While keeping your eyes focused on that spot start your down swing insuring your eyes are still focused on that spot and you have maintained the distance between your forehead and the ball. Keep the distance between the ball and your forehead until your arms and hands have passed through the address position on route to the finish position.

Remember if you cannot see the ball. You will not be able to relate the distance from your forehead to the ball.

Implementing this as part of your swing though you will find the balance on your back swing will improve, resulting in more consistent and solid hits.

Next month we will look at ball flight and what makes the ball go in different directions.

Do you find yourself loosing sleep, your friends find you short and irritable, nobody wants you as a partner or you just feel like giving up.

We can help, please contact us at Hua Hin golf Centre on Selakam Road, across from the Hilton or phone 032-530 119
All Inquiries are kept confidential.

By Jim Smith CPGA
Head Teaching Professional Hua Hin Golf Tours.

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